Cinema 4D R13 Cookbook

Michael Szabo

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Overview

Table of Contents

The Author

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Master all the important aspects of Cinema 4D
Learn how real-world knowledge of cameras and lighting translates onto a 3D canvas
Learn Advanced features like Mograph, Xpresso, and Dynamics.
Become an advanced Cinema 4D user with concise and effective recipes

Bonus Recipe

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Book Details

Language : English
Paperback : 514 pages [ 235mm x 191mm ]
Release Date : February 2012
ISBN : 184969186X
ISBN 13 : 978-1-84969-186-4
Author(s) : Michael Szabo
Topics and Technologies : All Books, Cookbooks, Web Graphics & Video

Preface
Chapter 1: The Fundamentals
Chapter 2: Super Modeling
Chapter 3: The Deformers
Chapter 4: Cameras are Rolling
Chapter 5: Let there be Lights
Chapter 6: A Material World
Chapter 7: Rendering Strategy
Chapter 8: The Awesome Power of MoGraph
Chapter 9: XPresso Shots
Chapter 10: Configuring Dynamics
Index

Preface

Chapter 1: The Fundamentals

Introduction
Exploring the interface
Moving around in Cinema 4D
Meeting the managers
Setting keyframes
Utilizing the Content Browser
Adjusting the scale of your objects

Chapter 2: Super Modeling

Introduction
Working with primitives
Subdividing, selecting, and editing polygons
Creating from splines: Extrude NURBS
Using Lathe NURBS
Using Sweep NURBS
Modeling with Loft NURBS
Punching holes with Boole
Using the Atom Array tool
Best modeling advice—just go for it

Chapter 3: The Deformers

Introduction
Getting started with the Taper deformer
Animating with deformers: Bend
Custom italics with Shear
Over-animation with Squash and Stretch
Making an asteroid with FFD and Displacer
Unconventional animations with deformers
Breaking objects with deformers
Using Spline Wrap versus Sweep NURBS
Applying the Collision deformer

Chapter 4: Cameras are Rolling

Introduction
Keyframing cameras
Moving a camera along a path
Locking cameras down with the protection tag
Using target cameras
Adjusting focal lengths
Matching your camera to footage
The Physical tab
Creating a handheld-style camera
Setting up stereoscopic cameras

Chapter 5: Let there be Lights

Introduction
Picking the right type of light
Exploring shadow types
Applying volumetric lighting
Hot and cold: Adjusting the temperature of the light
Lighting specific objects
Applying Global Illumination
Lighting using the Luminance channel
Lighting with Sky objects
Creating a light studio

Chapter 6: A Material World

Introduction
Using an Alpha channel to model
Using video as materials
Using multiple materials on one object
Using shaders
Make adjustments with the Layer shader
Using different Projection methods
Reflective materials with the Fresnel shader
Creating a glass material
Adding relief: Bump and Displacement channels
Applying subsurface scattering

Chapter 7: Rendering Strategy

Introduction
Render settings overview
Creating a batch of renders
Previewing renders with Render Region
Comparing different renders
Using anti-aliasing effectively
Exploring the Physical Renderer
The Compositing tag
Setting up multi-pass renders
The External Compositing tag and After Effects
Projecting shadows

Chapter 8: The Awesome Power of MoGraph

Introduction
MoGraph basics: Cloners and effectors
Making text with MoText
Using selections with cloners
Applying deformation with effectors
Creating abstract shapes
Applying random textures to clones
Combo #1: 3D logo build
Combo #2: Dynamic stage lighting
Combo #3: Dancing music orb

Chapter 9: XPresso Shots

Introduction
Introduction to XPresso
Creating and controlling user data
Driving animations
Adjusting outputs with Range Mapper
Controlling lights with MoGgraph and XPresso
Creating a project control panel

Chapter 10: Configuring Dynamics

Introduction
Introduction to dynamics: Bowling
Colliding clones: Cereal bowl
Dynamic Trap #1: Trap door with connectors
Dynamics Trap #2: Soft body net
Dynamics trap #3: Spring launcher and Hair
Cloth and Spline Dynamics: Clothesline
The final recipe: Rube Goldberg machine

Index

Michael Szabo

Michael Szabo is a motion designer who probably doesn't go a day without opening Cinema 4D and uses it for both business and pleasure. As a kid he always had a curiosity for the moving image, and his no-budget home movies spurred him to learn applications like Final Cut Pro, Motion, Photoshop, After Effects, and Cinema 4D on his own because they just weren't going to start magically teaching themselves to him. He's always interested in new designs and techniques, and strives to keep learning more each day. He's at http://www.bigmikedesign.com and on Twitter @bigmikedesign.

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Sample chapters

You can view our sample chapters and prefaces of this title on PacktLib or download sample chapters in PDF format.

Find your book in our support section to find errata and to download code samples.

What you will learn from this book

Get started using Maxon's powerful 3D design application.
Learn useful tools and methods for creating your own 3D objects.
Use deformers to manipulate and adjust your designs.
Create camera setups that capture your design in every dimension
Properly light your scene using real-world techniques.
Texture your objects to give them unique properties and qualities.
Render your work efficiently and with the best results.
Develop complex animations using Mograph.
Create sophisticated and smarter projects using Xpresso.
Take your work to the next level using Cinema 4D Dynamic system.

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In Detail

Cinema 4D is becoming the most popular 3D design program in the world and learning it now will only help you become a better and more valuable designer in the 3D design industry

This book provides all the Cinema 4D knowledge you need to become well-versed with the software in the form of short recipes, which get straight to the point about what you need to know to start designing great 3D projects.

Cinema 4D R13 Cookbook will guide you towards becoming an adept 3D designer, giving you all the tools to succeed in the field of 3D graphics. The book is set up to gradually introduce more sophisticated topics the deeper you go, and by the end of it you'll have a great working knowledge on the program. Early on you'll learn the basics of the program, and then jump right into how to start creating your own 3D objects to use in your designs. Along the way you'll learn how to set up lights, cameras, and materials to turn your work into something that feels more like art and design. Towards the end of the book you will be introduced to powerful tools like Xpresso, Mograph, and Dynamics to take your work to the next level. You'll be impressed by how easy it is to design top quality work once you lay the foundation for the entire program through this book. By the end of this book, you'll have opened new creative doors and given yourself the opportunity to be a more successful and versatile designer.

Approach

This book contains short recipes designed to effectively teach tools in the minimum amount of time. Each recipe hits on a topic that can be combined or incorporated with other recipes to give you the building blocks you need to start making great designs with Cinema 4D. Rather than demonstrating how to make a few specific and extensive projects, the recipes create a solid base of knowledge to help the reader understand the tools available to foster their own creativity.